Jews in So. Africa Find Their Position Satisfactory; Alert to Bias

September 4, 1959

JOHANNESBURG (Sep. 3)

While the position of South African Jews was generally satisfactory, the Jewish community here was warned today to remain on the alert to “any developments which might potentially contain the seeds of discrimination.” This was the essence of a report reviewing the status of the South African Jewish community presented by Gustav Saron, secretary general of the Board of Deputies of South African Jews at the Transvaal regional conference convened here today.

Mr. Saron said that South African Jews had “good cause for satisfaction, especially when the position was contrasted with the difficult war and pre-war periods.” There were few or no public manifestations of anti-Semitism, he declared. The speaker pointed out that, some months ago, on the occasion of a visit by the British fascist, Sir Oswald Moseley, a public repugnance to anti-Semitism was reflected here.

“There were no Jewish issues in politics,” Mr. Saron stated, “and the goodwill shown toward Israel has been reflected in attitudes to South African Jewry.”

“While this was welcome, the Jewish community must remain on the alert to any developments which might potentially contain the seeds of discrimination,” the speaker added. It was for this reason the Board of Deputies had recently taken up the question of “the conscience clause” traditionally included in South African university legislation as protection against discrimination. Some groups desired elimination of the clause but the Board of Deputies had supported its retention.